Inauguration: A gay poet and gays in the benediction

Toward the close of President Obama’s inaugural ceremony, nationally acclaimed poet Richard Blanco, who is gay, read a poem that sounded the themes of American unity and equality. Although his poem didn’t mention LGBT people directly, he made repeated references to inclusiveness and oneness, saying at one point that Americans are “arrayed like rainbows.”

Minutes later, Rev. Dr. Luis Leon said in his benediction,“With your blessing, we will see that we are created in your image,” he said, referring to God, “whether brown, black or white, male or female, first generation immigrant American or daughter of the American revolution, gay or straight, rich or poor.”